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Seoul Global Startup Center: the city's own centre for foreign founders

서울글로벌창업센터(Seoul GSC) 입주 안내

3 min read3 primary sources

Seoul Global Startup Center (Seoul GSC) is a Seoul Metropolitan Government facility in Yongsan-gu built for foreign founders, distinct from the similarly-named Global Startup Center run nationally by MSS and KISED in Gangnam-gu. The city's own site publishes three applicant tiers, a one-year renewable membership and a stated maximum funding figure.

A station sign on Seoul Subway Line 2, in the Hangul-and-English signage of the Seoul metro
On this page
  1. A city facility, not the national one
  2. Three applicant tiers
  3. Tenancy and funding, as published
  4. Confirm the current recruitment window

Three Korean bodies use some version of "Global Startup Center" or "Global Center" in English. Seoul Global Startup Center is the Seoul Metropolitan Government's own facility for foreign founders. The city's own site is specific about what separates it from the others.

A city facility, not the national one

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's own site names itself as the operator, located in Yongsan-gu. It says the facility was established in August 2016, calling it the country's first foreign-startup support facility of its kind.

That is a different address, operator and phone number from Global Startup Center (GSC), the Gangnam-gu facility run nationally by MSS and KISED. Seoul GSC's own page lists contact at 02-718-1170. The Gangnam facility's own site lists a different number.

Three applicant tiers

The city's own site names three applicant categories for Seoul GSC. Pre-BI covers a business with a foreign co-founder not yet formally started. BI covers a company under three years old.

Post-BI covers a company between three and seven years old.

Eligibility, per the same source, is open to "foreigners residing in Korea regardless of nationality" with entrepreneurial ambitions. The site describes evaluation by document screening and an interview presentation.

Tier named on the siteWho it covers
Pre-BIBusiness with a foreign co-founder, not yet formally started
BICompany under three years old
Post-BICompany three to seven years old

Tenancy and funding, as published

The city's own site states that selected residents get a one-year membership. A screening can renew it, for up to three years in total. It also states a maximum of KRW 20 million in startup support funds per company, plus assigned mentoring on technology, marketing, incorporation and patent questions.

Confirm the current recruitment window

The city's own site material shows Seoul GSC running recruitment cycles across multiple years. The most recent stated window opened in mid-2026. Check the centre's current notice before assuming a past cycle's dates still apply.

Seoul Global Startup Center's three named applicant tiers, alongside its city-run status versus the nationally-run Global Startup Center and the city's own Seoul Global Center.

See the GSC, Seoul Global Center and KOTRA comparison for how these differently-named bodies divide up.

Frequently asked questions

What is Seoul Global Startup Center?
A Seoul Metropolitan Government facility in Yongsan-gu, established in August 2016, built specifically for foreign founders. It is also known as Seoul GSC.
Is this the same as Global Startup Center?
No. Global Startup Center (also called GSC) is run nationally by MSS and KISED in Gangnam-gu. Seoul Global Startup Center is a separate Seoul Metropolitan Government facility in Yongsan-gu, with a different operator, address and phone number.
Who can apply?
The city's own site names three tiers: Pre-BI (a foreign co-founder, not yet formally started), BI (under three years old) and Post-BI (three to seven years old), open to foreigners residing in Korea regardless of nationality.
What funding does it offer?
The city's own site states a maximum of KRW 20 million in startup support funds per company, in past recruitment rounds, plus assigned mentoring. Confirm the current round's own figure before relying on it.
How long can a company stay?
A one-year membership, renewable through a screening for up to three years in total, per the city's own site.

Sources

Everything above is the rule as published. See how it applies to your case.

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